Three-year-old Filly Diary

THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLY DIARY

MARCH 26, 2005

by Hunter T. Houlihan

Two of the most important prep races for the Kentucky Oaks (G1) were run
since the last installment of the Three-Year-Old Filly Diary, the prestigious
$300,000 Santa Anita Oaks (G1) and the $300,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). The 1988
Santa Anita Oaks was won by Winning Colors (Caro [Ire]), who used the 8
1/2-furlong test as a prep for the Santa Anita Derby (G1), which the gray won,
en route to a victory in the Kentucky Derby (G1) as the last filly to do so. SWEET CATOMINE (Storm Cat) appears on that same trail to the first Saturday
in May after taking the Santa Anita Oaks on March 13. After a ground-saving trip
under regular rider Corey Nakatani, the bay swung three wide turning for home
and finished three lengths clear of MEMORETTE (Memo
[Chi]). Trainer Julio Canani is pointing her toward the Santa Anita Derby, and a
good effort could propel her into the Kentucky Derby, sending
chills down the spines of some trainers with top three-year-old colts.

The 1 1/16-mile Fair Grounds Oaks was won in wire-to-wire fashion by SUMMERLY (Summer
Squall), who ran nearly a full second faster than Sweet Catomine. The chestnut
always held a daylight advantage and had the looks of a
champion under Jerry Bailey. Trained by Steve Asmussen, Summerly is now
undefeated from three starts this year and is a top contender for Kentucky Oaks
favoritism should Sweet Catomine run in the Derby.

RUNWAY MODEL (Petionville) finished a strong
third in the Fair Grounds Oaks in her 2005 bow. She eased out after turning for home,
but simply
could not sustain her rally in deep stretch. However, she still impressed this author
with her
first start of the year. We’ll be looking for more from this dark bay lass in
her next start.

Another race worth mentioning is the March 19 Cicada S. (G3), which was won by
DIXIE TALKING (Dixieland Band) at 27-1. That one may have been a fluke, but
we’ll watch to see how she fares on the stretch out. ACEY DEUCEY (Abaginone)
and ALFONSINA (Grand Slam), the two-three finishers,
had their own problems and deserve a second look next time you see them on the
card. They both were comprised to some degree by their trips.

Top contender SIS CITY (Slew City Slew) has been training forwardly since her
16-length romp in the Davona Dale S. (G2), breezing six furlongs in 1:13 2/5 at Palm Meadows
on March 20. Las Virgenes S. (G1) heroine SHARP
LISA (Dixieland Band) has been working sharply
in advance of her next start. SPLENDID BLENDED (Unbridled’s Song) has yet to
make a start this year, but we’re eagerly awaiting her return to action.

Some fillies who are under the radar include AMAZING BUY (High Yield), who broke her maiden
by 10 1/2 lengths and subsequently has taken her next three starts, all
stakes. She looms large in Saturday’s Bourbonette Breeders’ Cup S. at Turfway
Park. In addition, the promising grass filly CAPE HOPE (Cape Town), recent winner of
the Herecomesthebride S. (G3), should continue to dominate her division on the
lawn.